Friends bid to raise £3,000 for Help for Heroes

TWO close friends are preparing for a gruelling nine-day trek in the Middle East in support of brave soldiers fighting for their country.

Julie Martin, 27, and Stacey Morrow, 25, will jet out to Jordan in October this year for a once-in-a-lifetime fundraising challenge.

There, the pair will trek in blazing heat for more than 60 miles over nine days from Dana to ancient Petra.The friends are targeting at least £3,000 each in sponsorship funds, which will all go to Help for Heroes.

Julie, who lives in Shropshire Walk, Hartlepool, and supermarket worker Stacey, who lives in the town’s Wynyard Road, said they had been on the lookout for something “a little bit different” to do in support of Help for Heroes and read about the Jordan walk on the internet.

They are now heading out for regular walks to make sure they are prepared for their marathon challenge later this year.

“We are actually really looking forward to it,” said Julie, who works as a member of the help team for Swift Cover insurance.

“It is a bit like stepping into the unknown, we don’t know what to expect but it will be a brilliant experience.

“Obviously the main thing for us is to raise as much money as we can for Help for Heroes.

“We have always wanted to do something to support the charity.”

The pair’s fundraising drive is already well underway and they have also organised an event at the Belle Vue Way Social Club, in Kendal Road, Hartlepool.

Further details about the event, which will take place on Friday, June 29, will be available closer to the time.